The Shorts

Plot: Mickey is having a tough time finding a suitable location for his One Man Band to play.

​Short Stuff:

This might be my favourite title card with the Union Jack and the classic Disney Castle logo.

The opening scene of Mickey preforming at a park evokes that of Bert from Mary Poppins (1964). His wardrobe matches and the tune bears a similarity to “Step In Time.”

At the cricket match, there are signs with well-known British expressions (“Jolly Good,” “Smashing,” “Cheeky” and “Oy!”) as well as advertisements for local “cuisines” such as “Fish & Chips” and “Biscuits & Crisps.”

There’s also a sign that reads “Wicket Wonderland” which is either in reference to Alice in Wonderland (1951), Lita Ford’s 2009 album called “Wicked Wonderland” or NEITHER!

Well known London landmarks make an appearance such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and London Bridge.

The animators were sure to highlight the stereotype of the British having bad teeth.

The Queen is the spitting image of Queen Elizabeth (right down to her eye-glasses) only in Corgi form.

In fact, Corgis are known as a favourite of British royalty with Queen Elizabeth owning more than thirty during her reign.

The music during the chase scene is reminiscent of that which you would hear in a ‘60s British farce like The Benny Hill Show (1955 – 1991) and/or Our Man Flint (1966).

The majority of buses in England are double-deckers and are favoured over articulated buses because of their ability to fit more passengers and better navigate the country’s narrow streets and tight corners.

Tea time (or high tea) in London usually takes place between 5pm and 6pm as is indicated here when Big Ben strikes 6p.

The green parrot standing by the Queen looks a lot like Elizabeth’s second husband and consort, Prince Philip

The Queen knights Mickey as “Sir One Man Bandington: Royal Troubadour for all of England.”

Final Grade: A-

This is a solid short. It especially delivers on the locale of London where the city and its customs become a character in and of itself. The action sequence of the guards chasing Mickey was well done and really captured the tone with its silly soundtrack. We also had some good representations of the Royal Family with the porgy and parrot. Lastly, we can’t forget Mickey’s Bert impression paying tribute to Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke.